September, 2006
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON CHARTER REVIEW CHANGES

Last month I informed you that the Erie County Charter Revision Commission proposed significant changes to the Office of the Comptroller. I support these changes that increase the autonomy of the Comptroller. Transferring decision-making powers regarding county finances from the County Executive to the County Comptroller should benefit the taxpayers of Erie County and will increase the role of the Comptroller as the people's watchdog.

These changes to the charter should make county government more efficient. If these recommendations are approved by the voters in a public referendum the county will see significant changes in its financial procedures and a more open government. One such change provides that the Comptroller submit a Statement of intent insuring transparency in financial reporting, programmatic budgeting, quantification and cost accounting are included in the budget.

Every year the Legislature conducts a series of budget hearings for the purpose of discussing and voting on the budget. The Charter Revision Commission wants to make this meeting more productive and transparent by requiring the Legislature to vote on individual items proposed as an amendment to the budget if those items are presented less than forty-eight hours prior to the annual budget meeting. Many may recall the budget fiasco of two years ago where a 100 plus page budget was presented to the Legislature two minutes prior to the vote. This change is crucial so that nothing can be slipped into the budget without a full explanation to the legislators.

Another important recommendation provides an opportunity for the public to involve themselves in the budget process by making information readily available to them. If this law passes, the public will have access to all county budget documents, a necessary change for transparency in government.

The charter revisions will also authorize the County Executive to appropriate unanticipated revenues with certain stipulations. These guidelines prevent abuse by the office of the county executive. First, only funds that are available can be appropriated. Second, the appropriation of such funds will require the approval of the Legislature. Lastly, there will also be an opportunity for the Comptroller to have a role in declaring that a deficit exists. If such a deficit exists, it is important that the Comptroller has the ability to inform the Legislature and the public of the deficit.

Although I support the charter revision referendum and urge voters to approve the changes, I am disappointed that you will not have the opportunity to vote on a County Manager position.